Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of serine protease produced by Bacillus licheniformis DSM 19670 (Ronozyme® ProAct) for chickens for fattening (DSM Nutritional Products Ltd.)

Ronozyme® ProAct is the trade name of the feed additive under assessment and contains serine protease produced by a genetically modified strain of Bacillus licheniformis. Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Ronozyme® ProAct when used as a zootechnical additive for chickens for fattening. The additive is available in coated thermotolerant granulated and liquid forms (Ronozyme® ProAct CT/L). The production strain and its recombinant DNA were not detected in an intermediate concentrated product used to produce the final formulations. The final products do not trigger a safety concern with regard to the genetic modification. Based on the results obtained in a tolerance study in chickens for fattening and the data from a subchronic oral toxicity study the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for chickens for fattening. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of Ronozyme® ProAct CT/L as a feed additive gives rise to no concern for consumers and for the environment. The additive, in either form, is not an eye irritant but should be considered a skin irritant. In the absence of data, no conclusions on the skin sensitisation potential can be reached. Owing to the proteinaceous nature of the active substance it should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel also concluded that the additive has the potential to be efficacious at 15,000 PROT/kg compound feed for chickens for fattening.